Acid Compost

Plants which don’t thrive in soils that contain lime are called ericaceous plants or acid loving plants. This means they won’t grow well in soils that have a high pH – such soils are referred to as alkaline.These acid loving plants include hydrangeas, camellias and azaleas.

Attempting to grow these plants in alkaline soils often results in the plants producing yellow leaves, failing to grow or flower well and usually dying. The main reason for this is that they need plenty of iron and other soil nutrients that become insoluble or ‘locked up’ in the soil at high pH. As a result, the plants can’t absorb them.

Farmyard Organics produces an all-natural acid compost ideal for these kinds of plants. It’s made up of a blend of compost and raw pine bark. Simply spread a layer of acid compost about 10 to15mm thick and work into the soil.